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Pacific leaders talk climate, oceans, security and promote

The Blue

Pacific

By Nic Maclellan

AFTER the Forum leaders’ retreat in
Apia, a final press conference was
scheduled for 4pm. But more than three
hours later, leaders were still arguing
over the wording for the communiqué
of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum.
The drafting committee could not
reach agreement on climate policy, and
sent the communique back to leaders
for a final decision.
Hours later, when Forum host Prime
Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
of Samoa finally fronted the media, he
was concerned that journalists were
standing between him and his dinner!
He denied it had been a tense retreat:
“We smiled and laughed – it was one
of the happiest meetings in my lifetime.
But you know, climate change issues
are very complicated.”
This final delay in the retreat did
not match the tenor of the week, with
the people and government of Samoa
organising a smoothly-run and posi-
tive event.
Last year’s Forum in Pohnpei had the
theme “small and distant.” The late,
great Epeli Hau’ofa was surely grind-
ing his teeth at the notion that Forum
Island Countries are tiny dots isolated
in a vast ocean.
In contrast, with this year’s theme
“The Blue Pacific – Our Sea of Islands”,
Hau’ofa can rest in peace.

Continued overleaf
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi at the forum opening. Photo: Nic Maclellan web link:
www.islandsbusiness.com

Islands Business, October 2017 11